Hot Rods The Chrisman Coupe

[Ryan]

The Chrisman Coupe is probably one of the most idolized cars ever built. I think of a lot of that has to do with the generally childish nature of hot rodders. Let's face it, the car is simply sinister in appearance and that was the initial turn on f...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

[JimA]

Art is the racers racer- He will still shoot the bull with you about the early days (just had a great talk with him at the swap meet last week). They are working on a book about his life.

Hard to beat the below stat- number 2 in the 200MPH club!

2. Art Chrisman of Compton, California drove Chet Herbert’s “Beast III” 235.991 mph August 28, 1952.

[JeffreyJames]

I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level.

I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing.



Nice friday addition.

[metalshapes]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level.

I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing.



Nice friday addition.

To me, that car is more Dobie Gillis than Chrisman Coupe...





The original car was badass.

One of my 3 all time favorite Hot Rods...

[JeffreyJames]

Originally Posted by metalshapes

To me, that car is more Dobie Gillis than Chrisman Coupe...

The original car was badass.

One of my 3 all time favorite Hot Rods...

I can definitely see that. I was just referring to TRJ article where it said that Dickie set out to mimic the Chrisman Coupe. I can see how that started out but as you read on and you see how he was working with Mickey Thompson and those guys the car probably was dictated by the drag-strip and the heavy hitters in California in the late 50's early 60's.

[JeffreyJames]

Can I also add that I absolutely think that TRJ should commission cut away rendering such as this one. I know that they do the Photo cut away but man these old ones were works of art!

[Flea]

Awesome car. Those guys showed a lot of respect by not going for the record.

[metalshapes]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I can definitely see that. I was just referring to TRJ article where it said that Dickie set out to mimic the Chrisman Coupe.

The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it.

So maybe that's what he meant...

[JeffreyJames]

Originally Posted by metalshapes

The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it.

So maybe that's what he meant...

Yeah, but I thought that he started building that car in 55-56 so wouldn't that have been the original Chrisman coupe? I can't see anybody trying to mimic the Gillis car. That thing was a turd! I will lose all my respect for the Flippen coupe if so. Hahaha!

[Tbomb428]

I remember the first time I saw that car. It was at a company Christmas party in 2000 (when it was in a private collection at a car dealership in SoCal). Having no idea of what that car was yet, I was mesmerized by it nonetheless. I could'nt stop staring at it. Still I think it's the most bad-ass hot rod I've ever seen.

[froghawk]

Terrific, moving piece of writing, Ryan. It's great that the car has been preserved and restored to its original state, but ones' heart aches for the potential partially realized, and the pain of loss the guys must have felt to cause them to part with the car and the dream.

[29EHV8]

Arts the most humble guy I know. Just an all around great guy.
The craziest thing about the car is when I sat in it. Your nose is just about touching the windshield, the crank pulley in your spine and he went 200mph in it! Nutbar!

Ryan, thanks for doing a cool write up on it. Prolly my favorite car ever.

-Shiny

[SinisterCustom]

These WHACKED coupes just rule....Flippen's is so wicked.

I can't wait to see Kevin's finished.....it's gonna be right up there with these.

[metalshapes]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I can't see anybody trying to mimic the Gillis car. That thing was a turd!

The Damage was undone, so its all good.

Hopefully somebody will have the guts, time, money and taste, to do the same for the Lincoln Futura....

[Tman]

Originally Posted by metalshapes

The Damage was undone, so its all good.

Hopefully somebody will have the guts, time, money and taste, to do the same for the Lincoln Futura....

And everything else G...............nevermind

[JeffreyJames]

A couple more

[metalshapes]

Pics...

[Ed Kimball]

Snapped these right before the car was recently auctioned off from Joe's Garage.

[metalshapes]

...

[Tman]

Straight outta Compton has a different meaning on that car!